Food Crafts Instittute in Leh

A multi-crore Food Crafts Institute is coming up at Takstithang in view of growing tourism industry in Ladakh.

The project plan including the design prepared by Omega Consultants Srinagar for this hi-tech institute is lying ready with the Ladakh Development Authority and the construction will begin in the month of July. The full-fledged instituted is meant to conduct several diploma courses in food and beverages, housekeeping and other professional activities related to tourism.

Mother saves her baby from wolf

A one and a half year old boy was admitted to SNM Hospital with cuts on his face reportedly caused in a wolf attack at Basgo village recently.

Tashi Nurbu was walking behind her mother Dolma when the wandering beast attacked the baby. Mother Dolma reacted by pouncing upon the wolf to release her child from the clutches of the wolf. She also received minor bruises in the process.

The village power generator operator was also reportedly attacked by the wolf, however, he escaped without any severe injury. Wildlife Department has deputed a team to search for the erratic animal and they were not sure that it was a wolf as told by the villagers.

The beast was still at large and villagers were in a state of panic as they believed that wolf was still around.

Truck falls into Indus

A truck loaded with scrap bound for Srinagar from Leh skidded off the road and fell into the Indus River opposite Lardo village on Sunday morning.

According to SHO Khaltse, Sub Inspector Stanzin Norbu said, a nap caused the driver to loose control that led the truck went down the cliff into the river. Police later rescued the driver Bagwandass, who was found clung on the river edge below the cliff,however, conductor and a passenger could not be found. Rescue operation was on.

Monasteries in Ladakh fall short of novices: Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche

Supreme Head Lama of Drikung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism Skyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche raised the concern of monasteries in Ladakh falling short of fresh novices on the occasion of his gracing on-going Tara ceremony at Chokhang Vihara in Leh.

Taking example of his monastery at Phyang Skyabgon Rinpoche said,"From last year the number of newly recruited novices was much less this year." He also spoke about the novices being brought in from out side Ladakh in some cases.

Addressing a large gathering of devotees Skyabgon Rinpoche opined that population control could be an issue for some other parts, but not for Ladakh. Hence, birth control measures should not be adopted here.

Later he gave initiation and empowerment on Tara ceremony before leaving for Phyang Gonpa where he had to preside over the commencement of annual Dumchot ritual. Other important Lamas present on the occasion were Togden Ripoche, Choegon Rinpoche among many other tulkus and monks from Drigung sect on the occasion.

Reopening of airfields in east Ladakh mean no more than reactivating the old ones

Reopening of airfields in eastern Ladakh bordering China in recent times meant no more than simply 'reactivating' those which were lying there without operation for many years that would also benefit local population.

The outgoing Chief of Air Staff Indian Airforce Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major told this to local media in Leh today during his special visit here to give his farewell address to the air warriors of Airforce Station Leh as his retirement is due in the end of this month.

Hindu in its April 7 edition says, "After successfully reopening the Daulat Beg Oldi and Fuk Che airfields in Ladakh last year, India is now working vigorously to operationalise the Neoma Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) this year for the Indian Air Force (IAF), close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China."

In his address to the air warriors Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major said, India is perhaps most stable and peaceful country to its neigbours and a few days ago nation went to polls to come out successfuly. He reminded the air warriors their responsibility to protect this country and 'a great democracy.'

He was closely associated with Leh as in 1999, he took over as the Air Officer Commanding Leh (Ladakh), in the aftermath of the Kargil conflict.

MP election in Ladakh

Boycott of polls in Dribling Ladakh
Out of sight from mainstream media
Leh May 17:
It just skipped everyone's heightened attention on lok sabha elections that one snowbound village Dribling in remote and snowbound trans-Sighela pass area totally boycott the recent polls for MP seat from Ladakh.
Their protest, according to sources, was the sheer negligence and govt. apathy they have faced irrespective of any party or govt. agency. Tucked away in high snowcapped mountains Dribling is one of six valleys inhabited by small communities in the Zanskar mountain range of Ladakh.
People from these areas are cut off from rest of the world for at least 7 months due to snow on their passes that lead them out to Leh town or even to neighbouring villages. They are bereft of road, telephone, electricity and other basic facilities modern society has. Agriculture and livestock rearing are the sources of livelihood for them, and they sustain in a sub-zero temprature facing at times nature's wrath of snowavalanche and landslides. Despite the problems they face official visits to these areas hardly take place.
In agony they decided to boycott the polls, however, it skipped the notice of media somehow. Similar attempt to boycott polls also emerged in Chushul bordering China. Sources said, villagers were angry that a much smaller village Tsaga had electricy generator, and they were neglegted lot. However, the villagers later cast their votes despite their boycott calls, sources said.